Location: London

Basis: Fixed Term Contract (12 months)

Level: Associate

Salary: £25,000-35,000 p.a.

About the PRI

The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. The PRI acts in the long-term interests of its signatories, of the financial markets and economies in which they operate and ultimately of the environment and society as a whole. The PRI is truly independent. It encourages investors to use responsible investment to enhance returns and better manage risks but does not operate for its own profit; it engages with global policymakers but is not associated with any government; it is supported by, but not part of, the United Nations.

Working at the PRI provides an opportunity to engage with highly motivated, culturally diverse professionals on a wide range of cutting edge issues, such as income inequality through the lens of sustainable finance. The PRI provides scope for development at all levels with opportunities for project leadership and management working alongside some of the most influential signatories and leaders across financial markets and economies.  In combination with a supportive culture that encourages continuous learning and flexible working policies, PRI is a highly engaging place to work on truly transformative issues.

Job description

This role will support projects, delivery of services and outputs focused on various social issues, and on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outcomes.

The position entails support to research, analysis and publications and guidance on social issues and SDG outcomes, and to feed into work with various teams across PRI to deliver first class and consistent content to signatories, developing and supporting related initiatives, both internally and externally, and representing the organisation externally as needed.

The role is within the PRI’s ESG and SDGs team (of 12 staff) and reports to the Head of Social Issues (with a dotted line to the SDGs team).

Core Responsibilities:

■       Provide support to the PRI ESG and SDGs team on projects related but not limited to social issues such as human rights, decent work, and diversity and inclusion, and on wider SDG outcomes.

■       Conduct research on SDG outcomes and social themes of interest for the PRI including research on relevant investment practices

■       Delivery of services and outputs including roundtables, webinars, podcasts, briefings, analysis, and publications focused on social issues and SDG outcomes.

■       Support signatories to expand expertise on social issues, SDG outcomes, and relevant practices and requirements.

■       Support internal collaboration on social themes and SDG outcomes across the PRI Content team, including the Policy, Stewardship and Investment Practices teams.

■       Participate in external events, fostering relationships with relevant external stakeholders (including think tanks, research institutes and industry initiatives)

■       Ensure accuracy and completeness of project related information on Salesforce

■       Manage the content of private online working spaces for relevant investor groups, and assist signatories to resolve any technical issues they might encounter

■       Provide regular reporting to the Head of Social Issues and Director of ESG and SDGs as required

■       Other ad hoc tasks as required including to support activities of wider ESG and SDGs team

Core Competencies:

PRI expects roles at a ‘Associate level’ within the organisation to demonstrate skills across the following core competencies:

Analytical

• Incorporates the fullest range of information available into analysis and decision making​

• Uses appropriate technical processes/systems to develop and evaluate options in an effective and time-efficient manner ​

• Assimilates data to draws out relevant insights and findings from analyses​

• Identifies opportunities and risks to feed into decision making ​

• Presents analyses in an appropriate format providing clear and concise recommendations

Business Awareness

• Understands, and always works towards, the mission and the aims of the PRI​

• Is curious about what is happening in other parts of the PRI​

• Is Signatory centric – seeks to understand, listen and respond to Signatory needs​

• Understands own teams’ objectives and seeks to internalise them in own activities ​

• Understands who does what at the PRI and uses the knowledge to complete activities

Collaborative

• Approachable, credible and willing whenever engaging with colleagues​

• Actively and appropriately seeks input from others ​

• Focuses on interacting with colleagues in an positive and open manner​

• Listens to what colleagues are saying, considers from different perspectives and tailor’s responses accordingly

Communicative

• Writes succinctly and clearly tailoring level of detail to the requirements of the end user​

• Communicates clearly and precisely and able to convey thinking comprehensively​

• Provides regular, clear and concise communications to manager, colleagues or other relevant people to keep updated on activities​

• Structures and prepares well-written, logical outputs with limited guidance and editing​

Developmental

• Demonstrates self-awareness: actively seeks feedback from others and acts upon it​

• Explores new ideas with an inquisitive mind ​

• Questions the status quo and suggests new ideas ​

• Seeks out opportunities to drive continuous improvements in ways of working​

• Open-minded attitude which welcomes change and new ideas

Structured

• Prioritises and organises time effectively, focussing on the key organisational priorities​

• Develops ways of working and processes to execute and improve efficiency across the PRI​

• Methodically tackles problems, working with colleagues where necessary​

• Takes account of the needs of other colleagues and/or Signatories when considering how to execute a piece of work​

• Promotes and utilises effective project management skills

Technical Competencies & Experience:

■       Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, and/or relevant training or work experience in:

o   corporate sustainability

o   applying UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

o   investment / responsible investment

o   law

■       Relevant knowledge of social issues (in particular human rights) and SDG outcomes as they relate to the private sector

■       Relevant experience in administrative and coordinative activities will be viewed positively

■       Motivated by the mission of the PRI, interested in social issues and SDG outcomes as they relate to companies and investors

■       Confidence to relate to and interact with a wide range of investment professionals from different regions, and ability to network and build relationships.

■       Strong experience of relevant IT systems (e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, CRM software)

■       A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others

■       Proactive attitude, strong attention to detail, and ability to learn quickly

■       Diplomacy, tact, and ability to work well in teams

■       Willing to occasionally take part in meetings in different time zones outside normal working hours

■       Fluent in English with excellent written communication and verbal presentation skills

■       Eligible to work in UK.